By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

Imagine driving home from work, following the rules of the road and all of a sudden you wake up two days later in the local hospital’s intensive care unit. That is what happened to Robin Levangie, who was featured in the Oct. 10 Post weekly interview. 

The accident occurred Aug. 22 as Levangie was headed south on Mill Street on a scooter and a teenage boy driving north allegedly ran a stop sign and hit her, said Levangie’s lawyer Terry Garmey of Smith, Eliot, Smith and Garmey in Saco and Portland. After two-weeks at Maine Medical Center, Levangie found herself at Seal Rock Healthcare, an assisted living facility in Saco, unable to walk and facing at least six months of physical therapy and rehabilitation. 

The boy who allegedly caused the accident had the state’s minimum insurance requirement, which Garmey said is inadequate insurance to cover Levangie’s medical bills. As a self-employed businesswoman, Levangie’s health and car insurance policies are not enough to compensate for her injuries either, he said. 

According to Maine law, all drivers are required to show proof of liability insurance with a minimum of $25,000 to cover property damage and $50,000 to cover personal injury or death per person, up to two people. Garmey said the minimum required by the state is not adequate coverage for most accidents, but he said it is not uncommon for drivers to opt for the minimum.

“Medical expenses can eat $50,000 up,” Garmey said. “For most people the state minimum is woefully inadequate, especially if you can afford more.”

Even though the state sets a minimum, Garmey said the affordable amount of coverage varies from person to person and by increasing the level of coverage, you also increase underinsured coverage. He said underinsured coverage protects you in the event the person responsible for the accident is inadequately insured. In Maine, the amount of underinsured coverage matches liability coverage, he said.

Paquin and Carroll Office Manager Danielle Gaudette cautioned that liability insurance alone does not cover property damage and the majority of customers should purchase comprehensive and collision insurance policies for the best coverage. She said while liability insurance covers bodily injury or death resulting from a car accident, collision insurance covers damage to a vehicle, whether it is yours or someone you hit, and comprehensive insurance covers other incidentals that may result in damage to a vehicle. 

Since each person’s earning capacity and driving history differs, Garmey said drivers should consult insurance companies to find the best coverage policy for their financial capabilities. Gaudette said cost for car insurance is based on a multitude of factors, including age, gender, vehicle type, driving history, and even where a person lives.

A single person with one vehicle — a newer car — could pay about $400 a year for adequate insurance, Gaudette said, but with all the factors it is difficult to estimate cost for insurance across the board. She said speaking with an insurance agent would ensure proper insurance based on personalized recommendations. 

“We want to educate our customers on adequate insurance,” Gaudette said. 

“People need to be aware of their risk and discuss with the person who they buy insurance from what their policies really mean,” Garmey said. “Many people in Maine don’t fully understand their policies.”

Garmey said while the minor who caused Levangie’s accident was underinsured, he does not have assets beyond the minimum coverage to compensate for lack of coverage. Adults with home equity and other assets are at risk of losing them in a civil lawsuit, he said.

“You could make a mistake tomorrow and injure somebody. If you caused an accident with half a million dollars in damage, that person could take your insurance and go home,” Garmey said. “But they can also take you to court and get a verdict against you that would cause you to go bankrupt.”

Since minors have minimal assets and limited funds, Gaudette said the majority of drivers under the age of 24 opt for minimum liability coverage only, but anyone with a house and family should opt for comprehensive coverage at a greater level to protect their assets in case of an accident. 

In an effort to help drivers maintain adequate coverage while saving some pennies, Maine Bureau of Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman offered tips in an Oct. 1 press release. 

“There are many simple steps consumers can take to reduce the cost of their insurance coverage,” Kofman said. “They should begin by reviewing their current coverage and evaluating their needs. Insurance agents can review options with consumers and Bureau of Insurance staff members are always available to answer questions.”

Some steps Kofman recommended included comparison shopping between different insurance companies, consider discounts offered by companies supplying home and auto insurance, evaluate deductibles to reduce overall premiums, think about insurance premiums when purchasing a vehicle, and maintain a good driving record. 

Adequate coverage is essential to prevent further tragedies like Levangie’s, Garmey said, and if anything policies should be purchased with the safety of you and loved ones in mind.